Христос Воскресе! BoиcтиHY Воскресе!
Christos
Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!
Christ
is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
A Rusyn Easter… The Tradition Continues
‘Twas the day before Easter and all
through the house,
The Hrutka was hanging, even tempting the
mouse.
The beets were boiling and I was grating
with care
Because the horseradish aroma was filling
the air.
The Paska was sticky, it was a big lump of
dough
I kneaded to plump it so it would grow.
Raisins were added, then into the pan
Where inside the oven it began to brown
and expand.
With baba in the kitchen and dzedo taking
a nap
I began cracking walnuts, leaving the
shells in my lap.
Opened jars of lekvar were soon
everywhere,
Filling rolls of kolachi were all I could
bear.
Two dozen boiled eggs were waiting to cool
For coloring in pastel yellow, pink, green
and blue.
Softening for the mold was a pound of
sweet butter
How I prayed that my counter would be free
from this clutter.
The salt shaker was cleaned and filled to
the top
Leaving only the meat before I could stop.
Smoked kielbasa and bacon and
brown-sugared ham
Why couldn’t they just bless cans of
ready-to-eat Spam?
Finally on Sunday with filled baskets in
hand
And while singing "Christos
Voskrese" the congregation did stand.
With candles and incense and blessings for
us all
We bidden each a Happy Easter and left the
church hall.
At home the family gathered to begin the
holy meal
But shortly thereafter I wondered if it
was all real.
Within an hour of eating everything that
they were able
My family was too full to clear the dishes
from the table.
Happy Easter to All! Christos Voskrese!
Voistinnu Voskrese!
Poet Unknown
Poet Unknown
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